Windows 10 Release Date, Pricing Details and System Requirements

Today in this topic we are going to discuss about Windows 10 release date, pricing details of various editions of Windows 10 and its minimum hardware requirements.

Windows_10_Logo.png

So without wasting time lets discuss in details:

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Windows 10 Release Date (GA – General Availability)

Windows 10 will be released to public this summer on July 29, 2015 which means the final version of Windows 10 (also called RTM – Released To Manufacturing) will be available in market for purchase and online for download/upgrade from July 29, 2015.

Initially Windows 10 will be available for PC and tablets. Also Windows 10 will be released in 190 countries and 111 languages.

Windows 10 Pricing Details

If you decide to purchase Windows 10, here are the pricing details of various Windows 10 editions to help you:

  • Windows 10 Home – $119
  • Windows 10 Pro – $199
  • Windows 10 Pro Pack (to upgrade from Home edition to Pro) – $99

We would like to remind you that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users in the first year of launch. Check out following articles for more information:

Windows 10 Upgrade Paths and List of Deprecated Features

Who Will Get Free Windows 10?

[FAQ] Upgrading to Windows 10 from Non-Genuine Windows

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Windows 10 Hardware Specifications / System Requirements

If you want to install Windows 10 in your computer, your system must fulfill following minimum hardware requirements:

  • Processor: 1 GHz (gigahertz) or faster processor or SoC
  • RAM: 1 GB (gigabyte) for 32-bit (x86) or 2 GB for 64-bit (x64)
  • Hard Disk Space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS or 20 GB for 64-bit OS
  • Graphics Card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
  • Display Screen Resolution: at least 1024×600
  • Microphone: for Cortana use (optional)
  • Fingerprint Reader + Illuminated Infrared Camera: for Windows Hello* use (optional)

*Windows Hello is a new Biometric authentication feature in Windows 10 to improve security and provide more personal experience to the users. With the help of Windows Hello feature, you’ll be able to log into Windows by showing your face or touching your finger to Windows 10 devices.

Basically if your system can run Windows 8/8.1, it’ll be able to run Windows 10 as well.

NOTE:

1. Speech recognition quality will vary by your computer microphone. If you want better speech experience, you’ll need a high fidelity microphone array and hardware driver with microphone array geometry exposed.

2. The Continuum aka Tablet mode feature will be automatically enabled in tablets, 2-in-1 devices with GPIO indicators and devices that have a laptop and slate indicator. In other devices, you’ll still be able to use Continuum aka Tablet mode feature but it’ll not be enabled by default.

3. Two factor authentication feature for better security will require the use of a PIN, Biometric devices (such as fingerprint reader or illuminated IR camera) or a mobile phone with WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities.

4. The number of applications that can be snapped will depend upon the minimum screen resolution.

5. To take advantage of touch input, you’ll need a computer screen with multi-touch support.

6. To use secure boot feature the firmware should support UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and should have the Microsoft Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database.

7. If pressing “Ctrl+Alt+Del” key combination for secure logon is enabled in your Windows 10 tablet, you’ll need to press WIN+Power buttons together to login.

You can test drive Windows 10 for free by downloading and installing its free Preview version using following links:

Download Windows 10 Free Preview

Download Windows 10 Mobile Preview for Phones

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Windows 10 is going to be a free upgrade to windows 8 users. Hmm. I haven’t actually looked into what improvements – if many at all – are being made to the OS. Are they desperately trying to make up for the terrible job they did with Windows 8 already?

  2. how to check UEFI version ?
    already installed windows 10 dp, does it mean it already fullfill windows 10 rtm requirement.

  3. VG, I don’t have UEFI bios. Will it work with normal bios just like it does with windows 8, 8.1?

  4. ^^ Yes.

    @Arif034 and @Amria
    You can check whether your system contains UEFI firmware or not using BIOS settings.

    @Krish
    Thanks.

  5. ok thank god!!! Because i want windows 10 in my computer as soon as possible!!!! VG+His tips= a big savior!!!!!!!!!!

  6. Quick Access Toolbar in File Explorer is placed to the far left. Is there a way to move it to the center of its toolbar?

  7. @xpusers: You can not upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 10, pirated or otherwise. Upgrade to Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update and you can upgrade to Windows 10.

  8. When will MS office 2016 release to RTM?
    Which Windows version it supports currently(Windows 7, 8 or 10 TP)?
    Thanks in Advance.
    Windows 7 SP1 x64-x86

  9. What about users running W10 technical Preview, will they be able to get w10.

  10. There a question about UEFI that need to be clarified:
    Windows 10 still supports old legacy BIOS. UEFI BIOS is not required.

    UEFI Secure Boot is required for Device Guard (only available in Enterprise edition) and Secure Boot mainly for OEM preinstalled OSs.

    In other words: it will run on legacy BIOS.

    @keshav Gyawali: I hope so, but I don’t believe 😉

  11. Is Windows 10 support android or apple apps ? if yes then in which version of windows does ?

  12. my laptop meets al the requirements for windows 10 … but I still don’t get the app. Whats going on?

  13. I reset my laptop and the “Get windows 10” icon did not return but i still keep the email confirmation that i reserved for the free upgrade. Shall I still receive that free upgrade even if the re was no icon in my taskbar?

  14. Iam running windows 8.1 on my laptop and windows updates are set to automatic update, my system is fully up to date yet there is no GET WINDOWS APP on my screen, Will I still get windows 10 upgrade on the 29th of july

  15. regarding HDD space:
    I have only ~8 GB free on c: (128 GB SSD) at the moment but lots of free space at my HDD. Could this be a reason for not seeing the GWX-Icon (its a genuine, acitvated Windows 7 SP1 OEM)

  16. I am running windows 8.1 on my laptop and on the Windows update icon popping up in the lower right corner of my desktop when I opened it earlier (July 29,2015) it ddn’t show up anymore, Does it mean that I won’t be available to upgrade to Windows 10? and I didn’t get any notification yet.

  17. It used to show before on my laptop which broke.
    I’m using my PC, and it never showed. I say it, it’s not a illegal copy of Windows 7 running on pc.

    So what’s the problem?

  18. the programmes in my systems tray stopped showing after a week of installing Windows X except the ? sign and two more that I don’t recognise. As soon as I hover the cursor on systems tray, the circle starts showing which indicates the system is working on it. I am not even able to press Windows + R to run anything. .

    Otherwise, I am able to use the system from desktop and able to use internet also.

    What is the problem with my system and how to restore its systems tray? Please help.

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